Hi there! I’m Justin…

…and I’m here to affirm your love, make you feel like a fucking rockstar, and dance like a total fool. Oh, and take so many gorgeous photos of y’all. Obvs.

Should I tell you more about myself? Yeah you’re probably right.

I’m a documentary and fine art photographer based in Chelsea, Manhattan serving the whole gosh-darn world. Outside of NYC, I frequently shoot in Washington D.C.; Los Angeles, CA; Boston, MA; and Portland, ME (the better of the Portlands, fight me). I’ve also been so lucky as to have my work bring me to Seattle, West Palm Beach, Chicago, Cleveland, Niagara Falls and Italy! I’m a travel junkie so if you’re planning a wedding or event in a cool spot please give me a shout.

Born and raised in New England as that theatre-loving gay kid, I have always been a friendly extrovert and love to connect with everybody. I even talk to people in elevators and smile at folx on the streets of New York City (even though my husband says it’s going to get me killed), so I bring that enthusiasm and energy to basically every event that i am lucky enough to document. But beyond just being honestly excited about working with you, I center my clients truest selves and intentions for their special days at the heart of my work. 

As a fat, queer dude I know how hard it is to find representation in the wedding industry – let alone the world at large. Therefore, I make it a point to make people of all sexualities, body types, gender expressions, races, religions and abilities feel validated and amazing in every step of the process. I’m here for you to vent wedding stress to, and will happily tell your mother-in-law to back off when they try to police what you wear! Shooting during the day I won’t enforce gendered posing stereotypes or what everything thinks “you have to do” but rather serve as a cheerleader for you, your choices and the community you surround yourself with.

You won’t ever get stuck feeling stiff in a pose because my style focuses on personality always shining through via prompts, silly jokes and fun activities tailored to you. How do you ask? I truly take a personal approach to wedding photography, only accepting a select few weddings per year and doing my best to become close with each of my clients so I understand your individual quirks, what you’re passionate about, things that will make you get the giggles, and what may be triggering for you. We’ll have Skype dates and brunch on the weekend and venue walkthroughs and everything to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera since that level of intimacy creates the most authentic images possible.

That’s not to say I won’t tell you to stand in a certain spot for better lighting or twist your face a certain way to catch better lighting, I just like to blend a mix of documentary photojournalism with fine art photography styles so you get the best of both world. I care just as much about belly laughs as I do quiet moments, look for ways to catch that just right lens flare and then will step back and be a fly on the wall when discretion is needed. I make sure to pay as much attention to crazy moves on the dance floor as family members reuniting at the tables in the back of the room. Your images will be timeless, fun, and personal. And most important of all: I will tell you what to do with your hands if you still feel awkward.

Of course, I didn’t just get to this place in my work and business out of nowhere. Photography started out as a hobby and escape, specifically when my parents told 15-year-old-Justin we were going on a month long roadtrip and my only solace in the back seat would be a new digital camera. Even though I tried to cover it up with pubescent angst, I found a new passion.

I later studied studio art at the School for the Museum of Fine Arts via Tufts University, spending hours upon hours honing my craft in the darkroom where I later taught for four semesters. I was also fortunate to be mentored by accomplished photojournalist Gary Knight of VII Photo Agency, under whom I learned the finer points of documentary style shooting. In 2010 I experienced my first wedding shoot working with Nadra Photography and — despite ripping a giant whole all the way up the ass of my pants — decided that was the right world for me. I continued to work with various photographers across New England and then started my own business in 2014 when I moved to the Big Apple. Since then I have photographed hundreds of weddings, engagements, benefits, performances, fashion shows, corporate events and amazing human beings along the road.

My amazing clients i have worked with over the years have been so kind as to sing my praises, earning me a place in TheKnot’s Best of Weddings Hall of Fame (I’m going on 5 years of consecutive wins) as well of WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Award in 2019 and 2020. These awards distinguish myself among the top 5% of wedding vendors across the country. Thumbtack ranked me as the #1 Wedding Photographer in New York City and my work has been featured in The New York Times, TheKnot, A Practical Wedding, How They Asked, Catalyst Wedding Co., MunaLuchi Bridal, The Wall Street Journal, GLAMOUR, People Magazine, Reuters and Yahoo! News.

Apart from being a photographer, I am a textbook Capricorn with a Scorpio Rising. I love Reese’s Cups and cookies more than almost anything. I make it a point to see every new musical on Broadway each season (or at least the ones I can afford tickets to), try and greet every dog I see, and meditate or do tai chi every day if I remember to. I’m that person who will shush someone talking in a movie or play (or during a wedding ceremony or toast). My husband and I try to go to Disney World every year — we even got engaged there because yeah, we’re a little basic. You’ll never convince me that Saoirse Ronan didn’t deserve every Oscar she was nominated for, or that Spice World isn’t a perfect film. I attend every Guster concert whenever they play near me, even though they never play “Two Points for Honesty”.  And my favorite emoji is 💃🏻.